A conceptional framework for the strategic application of supply chain management practices in the hospitality industry

Supply chain management practices have been widely applied beyond manufacturing firms and their value chains. Increasingly, supply chain management practices are extended as a strategic initiative to service management. Hospitality industries have the elements of supply value chain. They have the critical components of supply chains in terms of material flows, information flows, cross?functional integration and intrabusiness coordination and inter?business processes integration. In this paper we present a model that indicates how supply chain management practices are strategically applied in hospitality industries??hotel industry in particular. This paper also addresses how key supply chain practices need to be modified to be applicable in hospitality industry. This paper addresses how supply chain practices can make differences in strategic performance enhancement effort. Management implications are discussed.